Please help, unwashed substrate in my shrimp tank!

[Froggirl]

I have a stable shrimp tank which has been running for a couple of weeks now. I'd like to add corys, but I want to remove the gravel before I do so.

The tank has neocaridinas, a pleco, some ramhorn snails, live plants, moss, driftwood, and a layer of substrate (dennerle nutrisoil 6in1) that's covered by gravel. Only, the substrate was never washed as I added it before I knew I had to wash it.. Will removing the gravel and freeing up the substrate cause problems? I added a picture of the layers.

I also have two new sponge filters running alongside a juwel bioflow filter which will be removed in the future (the juwel) in case it's relevant to my question.

Thanks in advance!

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

There is no black and white answer here. I see you have a lot of mulm and build up there- this isn't just from "unwashed" substrate (which isn't going to do any harm generally- usually it just clouds up your water for days and days). The mulm and other tank build up though- that comes with uneaten food, fish poop and whatever else that makes it down there. While changing substrate isn't an issue- what can become an issue is ammonia released by all that gunky stuff. So sometimes the only thing to do is removing all inhabitants and basically starting over- but saving as much as you can with the good bacteria on it. 

On another note, I see no reason you need to change substrate just to add corycats- they will do just fine in there. 

Edited June 27, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX
to clarify

[Patrick_G]

@xXInkedPhoenixX, that’s how that Nutribasis 6in1 soil looks. I’ve never seen it in person but from looking at internet videos I can tell it’s definitely different from other types of aquasoil.  In any case, I agree with leaving the smooth pebbles, Corydoras will do fine. 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Patrick_G looks just like my mulm! 😄 Thanks for pointing that out!

In which case, scratch some of what I said, if you change the substrate it will likely just cloud the ever-loving out of your tank for a while. 

[Patrick_G]

On 6/27/2022 at 1:52 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

looks just like my mulm! 😄 Thanks for pointing that out!

I’d like to get a bag to play around with but I’ve never seen it in the US. 

[Froggirl]

On 6/27/2022 at 10:36 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

There is no black and white answer here. I see you have a lot of mulm and build up there- this isn't just from "unwashed" substrate (which isn't going to do any harm generally- usually it just clouds up your water for days and days). The mulm and other tank build up though- that comes with uneaten food, fish poop and whatever else that makes it down there. While changing substrate isn't an issue- what can become an issue is ammonia released by all that gunky stuff. So sometimes the only thing to do is removing all inhabitants and basically starting over- but saving as much as you can with the good bacteria on it. 

On another note, I see no reason you need to change substrate just to add corycats- they will do just fine in there. 

On 6/27/2022 at 10:49 PM, Patrick_G said:

@xXInkedPhoenixX, that’s how that Nutribasis 6in1 soil looks. I’ve never seen it in person but from looking at internet videos I can tell it’s definitely different from other types of aquasoil.  In any case, I agree with leaving the smooth pebbles, Corydoras will do fine. 

By mulm do you mean the dirt on the gravel? Cause this picture was unfortunately taken right before a waterchange 😅

Regardless, thank you for the replies! Will even Pygmy corys be alright on this gravel? I always read that they'd need sand to stick their barbells into, but it'd save me a lot of headache if I can just keep the gravel!

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Froggirl - yes, they will all be fine no worries! The only way it might hurt them is if they try and dig in and get stuck or hit a rough patch but it has been my observation that it's VERY rare. It's totally untrue you can only keep corycats on sand or other fine substrates- they just like to dig so they like it- however there are hundreds of happy cories on this forum alone that live in tanks like yours! BTW, welcome to the forum!

[Froggirl]

@xXInkedPhoenixX Thank you very much!

[Flumpweesel]

I have pygmy and regular corys on gravel for years no issues at all, those pebbles are lovely and smooth very similar to my pea shale.

[Froggirl]

@Flumpweesel Thanks for the reply! I'll be adding the cory's then 😊